Shirt band



Oct. 7, 1941. E. w. WILSON SHIRT BAND Filed June 19, 1946 I nvenio'z wEdwar'dwmison,

Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNirEo STATE.

Parser clerics 2 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for use in preparing a shirt fordelivery to the customer by the maker or launderer, and the object is toprovide a band which serves to hold the shirt in folded form and alsoprovides means independent of any button for holding together the endsof the neck band. The construction is designed particularly for use withshirts having attached fold-over collars.

At the present time a laundry in preparing a washed and ironed shirt fordelivery to the customer buttons the same, fastening together the end ofthe neck band either by the button which is sewed thereon of, if thereare two button-holes, by means of a small collar button, folds the shirtabout the stiffening board, applies an encircling paper band to hold theshirt folded and, frequently, applies also a cardboard stilf enersupport to the front portion of the collar.

My invention provides a band to hold the shirt folded and also toposition the ends of the neck band in proper relation, dispensing withthe buttoning, and which, as will appear, will also permit dispensingwith the collar support or stifiener and with the shirt board ifdesired.

My invention will be well understood by reference to the followingillustrative embodiment thereof shown by way of example in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a folded shirt held in position by a deviceexemplifying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view as seen from the lower end of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view of the wrapping band extended, parts being broken away.

In the drawing I have shown a band B, preferably of substantial width,say four inches or even more, at least the middle portion 6 of which isof fairly stiff material as, for instance, light cardboard, say asixty-fourth of an inch thick, while the end portions 8 may be ofrelatively light paper, the band as a whole being of a suitable lengthto encircle the folded shirt and having provision such as the latexcoatings H) on the opposite faces of the same at the ends permitting theends to be joined to form an open-ended tube in encircling relation tothe folded shirt S, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The central portion6 may be provided adjacent its ends with creases or scorings l2,facilitating bending of the same around the sides of the shirt, a numberof these creases being provided as indicated to adapt the device toshirts of varying widths.

The central portion 6 of the band is provided with a cut Hi, which maybe a mere slit as shown, extending inwardly from the upper edge and thematerial is scored or creased along lines I6 extending diagonallyoutward from adjacent the inner end of the cut to the upper edge of theboard. The angle of these lines is desirably as shown. There are thusdefined wing portions [8, preferably triangular and terminating distallyin relatively sharp, closely opposed points 20, which normally tend tolie in the plane of the band but may bend upwardly and outwardly aboutthe line It.

In use the shirt S is folded either about a shirt board or not as may bedesired and the band B is applied in encircling relation thereabout andits ends sealed to hold the shirt in folded form. This application maytake place at a position somewhat lower than that shown in Fig. l andthe band may be then slid upwardly so that the two distal points 20 ofthe wings engage within the fold-over collar at the line of fold. Thesepoints may first be slightly raised manually to provide a slightclearance between the points. As the band is forced upwardly the wingportion l8 is forced upwardly from the plane of the band, that is,toward the reader viewing Fig. 1, and laterally, as best seen in Fig. 2,providing a tension exerted through the points on the ends of the neckband closely adjacent the opening therein and drawing those endstogether in the manner shown in Fig. 1 and also supporting the frontportion of the collar. The action, however, is such and so applied thatthere is no tendency to crush the collar inwardly out of its roundedshape.

On account of the stiffness of the central band it will, if made ofsubstantial width, effectively hold the shirt in folded form and theusual internal shirt board may be dispensed with if desired.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and Itherefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive; reference being had to the appendedclaims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a band of a length toencircle a folded laundered shirt and having provision for connectingits ends to secure it in encircling position as an open-ended tubereceived between the upper and lower ends of the shirt, at least thecentral portion of the band being of substantial stillness, said centralportion having a cut extending inwardly from an edge thereof and theband being weakened to define bending lines extending from adjacent theinner end of the cut diagonally outwardly toward said edge to definewings having closely opposed distal engaging portions, which wings areyieldable upwardly and laterally when engaged beneath the as anopen-ended tube received between the upper and lower ends of the shirt,at least the central portion of the band being of substantial stiffness,said central portion having a cut extending inwardly from an edgethereof and the band being weakened to define bending lines extendingfrom adjacent the inner end of the cut diagonally outwardly toward saidedge to define Wings having substantially sharp points at theintersection of said edge and the sides of the cut, said points beingadapted to engage the fold of the shirt collar inwardly thereof at theend of the neck band and, on upward and outward yielding of said wingsas the band is slid upwardly about the shirt, to hold together the endsof the neck band.

EDWARD W. WILSON.

